I buy in bulk when it's convenient or I can make it convenient. 3 5 gal plastic containers. Right now the cheapest is $1.409 versus $1.429 at Wal Mart using their card. Not worth a $2 toll to save 50 cents on a bulk purchase. I can go another way and not pay the toll, but it's another 35 miles.

Last big purchase for me was a set of snap on sockets at an estate sale, 1/2 inch drive like new for a bid of $65, missing the 12mm and 21mm so a total of 21 sockets 10mm-32mm missing 2. They catalogue for $645, used market about $250 so a nice grab.

Also two ratchets for $17.50 and a box of 50 loose sockets for $100, all snap on.

regards
mech